Neill Blomkamp

Neill Blomkamp

Neill Blomkamp's Elysium is one of the most anticipated films of 2013 as he is back in the director's chair for the first time since his debut.

That debut was, of course, District 9 as he grabbed the film world's attention with what was a truly terrific movie.

And while Elysium may only be his second feature film release, Blomkamp has cemented himself as one of the directors to really watch out for over the next few years.

Blomkamp kicked off his directing career in shorts with the likes of Alive In Joburg and Yellow under his belt.

He went on to helm a trio of shorts set in the Halo universe - which were used to promote the release of Halo 3 back in 2008.

The first installment Halo: Combat Evolved was a huge success and went on to win the Cannes Lions 2008 - Film Lions Grand Prix.

It was these shorts that grabbed the attention of director Peter Jackson. Blomkamp was set to direct a Halo feature film with Jackson serving as producer.

But when there were problems with the funding, Jackson switched his attention of Blomkamp's short District 9.

The Oscar winner came on board to produce the feature while Blomkamp would make his directorial debut.

The film saw him reunite with childhood fiend Sharlto Copley, who he cast in the central role of Wikus van de Merwe.

When the movie was released in the summer of 2009, it was both a critical and commercial hit.

Immediately, Blomkamp was tipped to be the next big thing in filmmaking as fans and critics got excited about the way that he made his movies.

District 9 went on to be nominated for a Best-Picture Oscar the following year - losing out to The Hurt Locker.

Blomkamp fans have had to wait until this week to see him return to the director's chair with his new film Elysium.

Elysium is another dystopian sci-fi film that is packed with action as well as having a moral centre and a social message.

I know we have had to wait four years to see this movie, but it is well worth the wait as Blomkamp has delivered a film that is not only visually stunning but also gripping from start to finish.

And it is great news for Blomkamp fans as we are only going to have to wait until the beginning of 2015 until we get to see his next movie.

Chappie will be the next project, and it will be a feature-film version of his 2003 short Tetra Vaal.

The movie will also reunite with him Sharlto Copley for a third feature film project together.

Chappie is set to follow a robot with artificial intelligence who is stolen by local gangsters.

Blomkamp is one of those directors who likes doing things his own way and because of that we get beautiful and unique movies... This makes him a very special filmmaker indeed.

Elysium is out now.


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